Friday, 25 July 2008

Q I am unemployed and looking for work. I don’t always want to use the Jobcentre services; do you know anyone who can help?

I know just the person who can help. Every Monday, Michelle from Working Links is at the ARC, Stembridge Ave. Michelle will help you with job search, CV writing, application forms and much more. This is a free and voluntary service for local people, providing extra support for those of you who are wishing to work and making positive changes to your life. Your can either ring Michelle for an appointment or call in at the ARC.

Working Links at the ARC
Every Monday
10 am - 12pm
Michelle—07971320907
(ring for an appointment)

Q I am sexually active, what I can do to make sure I don’t catch any Sexually Transmitted Infections / or how can I stay safe?

Blaenymaes Youth Support Centre can now offer the Condom Scheme Service to local young people aged 13 – 25 yrs. It’s a free, confidential service which is delivered by qualified youth workers. Young people already registered at Info-Nation can now use this service in their community.

Blaenymaes condom scheme
Blaenymaes Youth Support Centre

Every Tuesday evening
6.00pm – 7.30pm
For more details please
contact Lems on:

Mobile 07827307940
Centre 01792583469


Q Due to the ‘credit crunch’ the price of fruit and vegetables have grown loads over the last year and is pushing my budget to the limit and I am finding it hard to afford healthy food, what can I do?


We are fortunate in Blaenymaes to have our own Fruit and Veg Co-op right our door step. This scheme is run by the volunteers at the New Drop In Centre on Blaenymaes Drive. A bag of fruit, vegetables or salad can be purchased at a bargain price of just £2.50 per bag. Each bag is filled with a variety of seasonal fresh foods and can be delivered to your front door! These bags are great value and cost far less than the equivalent at our local supermarkets.

Blaenymaes Fruit & Veg Co-opNew Drop In Centre
Every Thursday
01792 580905
(Place your orders by Wednesday )

Q. I use my computer everyday. I love keeping in contact with my friends through Facebook and downloading my music on i tunes. Recently my computer keeps on crashing, I think it may have a virus. Do you know anybody that could help that doesn't cost a fortune?

I know just the people that can help! Every week a group of local, enthusiastic and trained volunteers delivery PC Surgery. At the ARC the volunteers will look at your PC/ laptop and try to help sort your PC problem out. If you would like to know how to fix it again or just need general computer advice, they will show you how and tell you everything you need to know, just in case it happens again. This is a free service for local people so just ring for an appointment.

PC SurgeryAction Resource Centre
Every Tuesday
1.30 - 4pm01792 578632(Ring for an appoint)


Q I am currently claiming benefit, but I’m thinking about volunteering, would this affect my money?

If you claim Incapacity Benefit you are allowed to do voluntary work for anyone apart from family and it must not be paid work. If you get Income Support, you can do voluntary work with out your Income Support being affected. Pension Credit claimants do not face any restrictions on the voluntary work they undertake. However, you should always inform the DWP of any voluntary work that you are do or may do.

You can also call Shaw Trust which has a ‘Benefits Advisor Service’ on
01792 321006



Q I really want to give up smoking, but I don’t know what support I can have?


You don’t have to give up smoking alone. Stop smoking Wales offers free, local NHS support that really works. You can work with a trained advisor who will be able to tell you about replacement products. You are up to seven times more likely to give up smoking using Stop Smoking Wales than if you go it alone.

Stop Smoking Wales are now in the Blaenymaes area, based at the ARC every Tuesday morning. If you want to book an appointment with a personal advisor call free on
0800 085 2219.